# NTSB ATL91LA065: Helio H-295, N42013, Dunlap, TN, March 12, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 12, 1991, 16:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Dunlap, TN
- Coordinates: 35.369525, -85.379364 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3695&lon=-85.3794&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8383
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91LA065
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8383/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91LA065

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT, WHICH RESULTED IN A GROUND LOOP/SWERVE.  THE CROSSWIND WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

THE PURPOSE OF THE FLIGHT WAS TO DEMONSTRATE THE CAPABILITIES OF THE HELIO H-295 TO A PROSPECTIVE CLIENT. AFTER LOADING THE PASSENGERS THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A SHORT FIELD TAKEOFF FROM A CONFINED AREA BEHIND A MANUFACTURING PLANT. SINCE THE PILOT HAD PREVIOUSLY INSPECTED THE AREA, HE WAS CERTAIN THAT A SAFE TAKEOFF WAS POSSIBLE. HOWEVER, DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, HE FAILED TO CORRECT FOR THE LEFT CROSSWIND.  AS THE AIRPLANE PASSED THE PLANT, THE LEFT WING CAME UP AND THE RIGHT WING DRAGGED IN THE DIRT. THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE, AND IT CAME TO REST 90 DEGREES RIGHT OF THE TAKEOFF HEADING. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED A GUST OF WIND AS HE APPROACHED THE PLANT. NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WERE REPORTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N42013](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N42013), registered now, S/N 1256, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HELIO H-295
- Registry model: [Helio H-295](https://openairdocs.org/model/helio-h-295) (registry code 4300802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming GO-480 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-go-480-series) (registry code 41527, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1256
- Engines: LYCOMING GO-480-G1D6 295 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Montgomery, Lawrence J., doing business as Larmont Aviat.
- Registered owner: Montgomery, Lawrence J.
- Departed: DUNLAP, TN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 73; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 20,000 total, 9,999 in this make and model, 18,000 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 16 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,800 ft overcast
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: CHA, 25 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19910312008159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910312008159A), Mar 12, 1991: Helio H295, Dunlap, TN, Substantial damage. Lost directional control on takeoff roll. Dragged wing prior stopping.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.